Florida vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Florida in Gainesville, FL with Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Florida is larger than FGCU based on total student enrollment (56,311 students vs. 16,612 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Florida is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Florida 16:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Florida vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida or FGCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Florida than FGCU ($11,936 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 8.4% lower than at University of Florida ($11,107 vs. $12,120).
• University of Florida is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $263 more per year; $6,381.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Florida than at Florida Gulf Coast University (about $3,497 more per year; $28,659.00 vs. $25,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida than at Florida Gulf Coast University (91% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Florida students is 27.4% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($10,846 vs. $8,515).

Florida vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida or FGCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between FGCU and Florida.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 280 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming Florida students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Florida 1320/1480; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Florida 29/33; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida - Required; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Mar 1, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman FGCU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Florida (3.9).
• FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (63.4%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.2% at Florida vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Florida vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida and FGCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $3,685 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($15,815 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($163 vs. $201).
• More Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FGCU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.